An ADU could be a backyard cottage, or as in the picture, an apartment built above the garage. Many families see an ADU as a practical first step toward independence: close enough for support, separate enough to feel like home.
Some parents choose to create a separate space on the family’s property for their loved one with a disability. This could be a room with its own entrance added to the family home, or a separate stand-alone building called an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).
For some families, this is a first step toward independence, with plans to use the space differently once their loved one is ready to live further from home. For others, it’s a longer-term arrangement, with the person eventually moving into the main house when parents are no longer living, and the ADU becoming a caregiver’s quarters or a rental.
The steps below walk you through the process of building an ADU.
Call or visit your local planning or zoning office and ask: "Can I build an accessory dwelling unit at my address?" You can also search for your county's planning department at georgiaassociation.org. They can tell you what's allowed, how large it can be, and how far it has to be from property lines and other structures.
Things to ask about:
A survey shows the exact boundaries of your property. Your county may already have one on file, check with the tax assessor's office before paying for a new one. If you do need a current survey, a licensed surveyor will measure your lot and produce an official document showing where you can build.
This document is usually required with your permit application.
ADUs range widely in cost, from around $30,000 for a small modular unit to $150,000 or more for a custom-built addition. Common ways to pay for an ADU include:
To get a building permit, you'll need drawings that show what you're building and where. You have a few options for getting these:
If your loved one uses a wheelchair or needs other physical accommodations, plan for those now, it's much less expensive to build accessibility in than to add it later.
Submit your application to the county building department. You'll typically need to include:
Review times vary, some counties take a few weeks, others take a few months. Ask when you submit so you know what to expect.
Get quotes from at least two or three contractors before choosing. Ask each one:
If you're going with a modular ADU company, they typically handle delivery and installation as a package.
Once building starts, your contractor is responsible for scheduling inspections at key milestones. These typically include:
You don't have to be present for inspections, but it's worth checking in regularly with your contractor to stay informed.
Your ADU will need water, sewer or septic, and electricity at minimum. Some counties require separate meters; others allow sharing with the main house. Confirm the requirements with your building department early, utility connections can take time to arrange and can affect your project timeline.
When construction is complete, the county does a final walkthrough. If everything meets code, you'll receive a Certificate of Occupancy, the official document that says the ADU is safe to live in. Once you have this, you're ready to move in.
Once your loved one moves in, a few things are worth planning for:
